Fuel-feeding apparatus for gas-producers



I. F. ROGERS, J. S. MCCLIJMON AND R.'WETHERILL, 1n. FUEL FEEDLNG APPARATUS FOR GAS PRODUCERS.

APPLICATIQN ELLED JAN. 2, I919.

Patented Feb. 2 1M920.

4 SHEETS-53 EET MWM Mgr y Mm J. F-ROGERS, J. S. McCLIMON AND R. WETHERILL, JR.

FUEL FEEDLNG APPARATUS FOR GAS PRODUCERS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.2. IQIQ.

Patented Feb 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- FUEL FEEDING APPARATUS FOR GAS PRODUCERS.

Patnted Feb. 24,1920.

H w m i 4 u 7 a 7 0 i/ p 0 A/ 5 5 Z v d 3 3 l mfl m 0 m 5 4 5 0 4 3 4 K 3 0 4 z w v 4 Q 3 5 0 R 5 5 1 F1 3 F W 1 APPLICATION FILED LAN. 2. 19.19,.

171 vallfolkfii M .1. FLBOGERS, '1. S M'QCUMON AND R. WETHERILL! 1R.

IFUEL F EEDLNG APPARATUS FOR GAS PRODUCERS.

. I I APPLI QATIQN FILED lAN. 2. 191'9- 1,331,785;

' Patented Feb. 24, 1920.

4 SHEETS-*SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WETHERILL, J'B., OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, 'ASSIGNOBS TO THE WELLMAN- SEAVER-MORGAN COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FUEL-FEEDING urm'rus r03. ens-rnonucnns Patented Feb. 24, 1920.

Application filed January 2, 1919. Serial No. 269,286.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J OHN F. RoonRaJAY S. MCCLIMON, and Ronnn'r 'WETHERI'LL, J r., citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Cleveland Heights, in the county of Cuyahoga' and State of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Im rovement in. Fuel-Feeding.

Apparatus for as-Producers, of which the following is'a full, clear, and exact description. The objects of this invention are to periodically deliver measured charges of *fuel into a gas producer, and to substantially prevent loss. of gas from the producer through the feeding apparatus while this is being done. Also to provide means by which the attendant may easily and quickly adjust the feeding mechanism so that the size of the fuel charger periodically delivered to the producer shall be in accordance with the then existing requirements of the producer for the production of the best results therein.

While these are the principal specific objects of the invention, the general object is to. provide fuel feeding apparatus which is safe-guarded against injury, and will remain operative under the trying practical conditions of use, and will contribute to the continued high efliciency of the producer.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts shown in the drawing and hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a front e'le vation of the fuel feeding apparatus in which the present invention is embodied;

Ohio, and

have been disconnected in the operation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the right side of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the right side ofthe mechanism as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary left end view of the fuel valve and some associated parts; Fig; 6 is a sectional front elevation of the left end of the fuel feeding valve and associated parts; Fig. 7 is a sectional blank and the means for yieldingly holding its two parts in operative position, and Fig'. 8 is a sectional view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, and showing in particular a latch for preserving the disconnection of the two partsof the link when they view of a part of the link The apparatus includes a chute 10 whose upper end is adapted to be placed in open communication with a source of fuel supply,

while its lower end is adapted to be secured upon the top of the producer, so as to discharge through a hole therein. The. chute is composed of a lower member 10 and an upper member 10". The top of the lower chute member is semi-cylindrical in form;

and serves as the supporting seat for a cylin-,

drical fuelfeeding valve 30 which is rotata bly fitted thereto. A passageway 10 through this valve seat 10 extends down through the lower end of the chute. The upper chute member 10 is secured upon the lower chute member; and preferably in the lower ends of'the side Walls of the upper chute member are semi-cylindrical recesses which fit over and engage the cylindrical valve 30,- at the ends thereof and hold it down upon its seat. The valve 30 is a hollow cylindrical drum having a hub 31 and a plurality of radial arms 32 which divide the drum into a plurality of pockets-33, the entrances to which. are longitudinally extended slots 34 in its peripheral wall. This drum valve has also end plates 35. When rotatably mounted in and held upon the valve seat 10 endwise movement is prevented by plates 11 securedto the sides of the lower chute member engaging the ends of the drum. At its right end this drum is provided with a trunnion 37 through which, by means ofcertain mechanism to be described, this drum is turned in the direction of the arrow on Fig. 2.

The upper chute member between its upper and lower ends has a downwardly and forwardly inclined portion 10. In this,

'near its upper end, is mounted a fuel measuring and feeding drum 20 which extends from one side memberof the chute to the other. It'comprises a hub 21 and a plurality of radial arms 22. A shaft 23 extends coaxially through the hub and is keyed thereto, and this shaft is rotated in bearings carried by the sides of the chute. The position of this drum is such that the outer edges of the blades 22 travel so close to a curved art 10 of the back wall of the chute that uel can not pass between this wall and said drum.

T he drum is, however, a considerable distance from the front inclined wall of the chute so as to minimize the chance that fuel being carried along by the drum will be caught between the top of the chute and the arms 22. This fuel measuringdrum 20 is so placed that it supports the column of fuel above it, and serves as a barrier to prevent the flow of fuel past it. This fuel measuring drum is turned by mechanism to be presently explained in the direction of the arrow on 'Fig. 3. As it so turns the wide mouthed ockets between successive arms 22 will be fill carried over the drum and discharged into that part of the chute between this measuring drum and the drum 30.

Across this chamber and above the fuel drum is a rod 40 on which is hung several rakes 42. The center of gravity of these rakes is such that they will swin to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which they will be stopped by the engagement of fingers 43 ithereon with a flange 11 on the front wall of the chute. Ordinarily the pockets full of fuel discharged from the measuring drum.

20 will be prevented by these rakes from falling upon the descending sides of the fuel v a-lwe, and will be guided toward the rear side of the chute and onto the ascending part of the fuel valve, and this fuel will find its way into and will distribute itself with substantial uniformity in the several pockets of the fuel valve, as said pockets move upward from the valve seat 10. If, however, a lump of fuel or of some foreign substance projects out of a pocket in the valve and comes into engagement with one of these .rakes, the rake will be swung in the direction of the arrow shown alongside of it on Fig. 3 and will permit this substance to pass without doin any damage. After it has passed the raies will swing back to the position shown in Fig. 3.

As the drum valve revolves the mouths of the several pockets thereof will be successively brought into registering relation in the open upper end of the passageway 10.

and fuel will be discharged from these pockets into this passageway, and thence into the producer. The engagement of the drum valve with the valve seat 10 will substantia'lly prevent any loss of gas from the producer between these engaging surfaces; but it means were not provided to prevent it, each of the pockets in the valve, as it empties its fuel into the passageway 10, would become filled with gas from the producer, and this gas would be carried around and allowed to escape from the pockets into the chute as the mouths rose above the valve seat.

In the construction shown, means are provided for substantiallv preventing the loss of gas from the producer in the manner stated, such means operating to fill each ed with fuel, and this fuel will be I pocket with steam just after it has discharged its fuel, and while it is still in registering relation with the open upper end of the passage 10. To accomplish this result a steam distributing chest is fixed to the left end of the drum. This steam distributing chest includes a coaxial hollow hub 71 in which is a cylindrical recess or steam chest 72 into which a steam valve 73 is fitted. This valve is hollow, and steam is admitted to it from a pipe 7 4 which enters its end and is concentric therewith, a tight joint being formed by a suitable stuffing box.

As many steam ports 75 lead. from the said steam chest as there are pockets in the valve, and each of these ports discharges into a pocket. There is also a port 7 6 leading down from the'hollow valve 73 and so placed that as the steam chest turns the receiving ends of theseveral steam ducts 75 come into registering ielation with this port 76. It will of course be understood that this steam valve 73 does not turn. -As shown, its outer end is made square, and this squared end 77 is engaged by a bar 78 fixed to the side of the lower chute member.

The registering of the port 76 with a port 75 takes place just before the corresponding valve pocket has its mouth closed by its movement onto the valve seat. The result will be that steam will rush into this pocket and fill it driving the gas out' of said pocket. The escape of steam from a pocket into the chute as the pocket rises from the valve seat does no harm, and does not occasion much loss, whereas when the producer gas is carried around in a valve pocket and is discharged into the chute considerable harm may be done and some money loss does take place. This gas is inflammable and is asphyxiating, and in many cases workmen have been overcome by the gas, and in some cases fuel in the chute has become ignited. These results, however, can not take place with the construction shown. which fills each pocket in a fuel valve with steam after said pocket has discharged its fuel.

The fuel feeding drum valve 30 is to be turned intermittently and'may be so turned by the mechanism shown in the drawing, to wit, a ratchet wheel 50 is fixed to the trunnion on the right side of the valve. A rocking pawl plate 51 is mounted upon this trunnion and carries a pawl 52 which automatically engages the ratchet wheel. This rocking plate is connected with a link 53 which may be moved endwise back and forth by any suitable mechanism.

Motion is transmitted from this rocking plate 51 through suitable mechanism to the fuel measuring drum so as to -impart intermittent motion to it. The mechanism shown for this purpose consists of a rocker 80 which is pivoted to a bracket 12 fixed t0 the upper chute member. One arm 81 of this rocker is connected by a link 82 with the rocking plate 5-1. Another arm 83 of this rocker extends in an-upward direction and is formed with a slot 84:. In this slot a block 85 is slidably mounted. A link, represented generally by 90, but which is made up of several connected parts, is pivoted to this block and to a rocking pawl-carryin plate 87 that is loosely mounted on the s aft of the fuel measuring drum 2,0. This plate carries a pawl 89 which automatically engages a ratchet wheel 88 that is fixed to said shaft. It is obvious, therefore, that through this train of mechanism, intermittently rotary motion is transmitted from the rocking plate 51 to the fuel measuring drum 20, whereby this is caused to turn periodically arcual distances which may depend upon the effective length of the arm 88, that is to say, upon the distance from the axis of said arm to the block 85 to which link 90 is pivoted. This distance may be varied by sliding the block toward or away from the axis of the arm. To produce this result and hold the block in any adjusted position abell crank'lever 100 is mounted coaxially With and close to the rocker 80. One arm 101 of this lever is the arm through which it may be operated, and this carries a latch 102 for engagement with segment rack 13 fixed to the bracket 12. The other arm 103- of this bell crank lever extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and. is connected by a link 104 with the link 90 at a point near the block 85. By rocking this bell crank lever the block 85 may obviously be caused to travel on the supporting arm to 'ward or away from the axisof the rocker,

and may be held in any position upon said arm. The farther it is from the axis of the arm the greater will be the number of teeth in the ratchet wheel 88"included by each rocking movement of the plate 87 The link 90 which transmits motion from the arm 83 to the rocking plate 87 includes a forked member 91 which is pivoted to the block 85; a bar 92; a right and left screw 93 for connecting the forked member and bar in alinement; an end member 94 through which the bar 92 passes and in which it may slide if necessary. This end member 94 has a pivotal connection with the rocking plate 87; The end member 94 carries a spring actuated plunger 95 having a V- shaped end hich engages a V-shaped notch 92 in the bar 92.

Under normal conditions the engagement of the plunger and notch will prevent any sliding of the bar 92 in the end member 94; but if at any time or for any cause the turnin of themeasuring drum 20 is resisted with sufiicient force, the 'bar 92 will be pulled loose from this plunger, that is to say, the plunger will be pushed up by the engagement of its inclined end with the inclined wall of the notch 92, and the bar 92 will slide through the end member 94 without producing any movement of the fuel drum. When the Plunger is so released a spring latch 96 mounted on the end member '94; will snap into a hole 95* in the plunger95, and Will prevent the reengagement of the plunger in a notch 92. When the parts get into this condition the operator is supposed to remove the obstruction to the free movement of the fuel drum. When this has been done the latch 96 will bewithdrawn and the plungenwill automatically engage in the notch 92 and the described movements of the drum 20 will be resumed.

' The described safety mechanism while shown as part of the mechanism fortransmitting motion from the arm 83 to the rocking plate 87, becomes effective only when there is some interference with the turning of the drum 20. But it may be usefully employed at various points in the trains of mechanism by which either or both of the members 20 and 30 are turned. In'fact, it has already been incorporated as a part of the mechanism for turning the rocking plate 51,-that is to say, link 53 has been made to include two relatively sliding members, and the same mechanism for so connecting them that they will move together normally, but may move independently when required.

Having described our invention, claim 1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a cylindrical drum having a plurality of fuel pockets the mouths of which are through the cylindrical wall of said drum, a seat in which said drum is rotatably mounted and through which is a fuel discharge aperture, means for delivering fuel charges to the pockets aperture, whereby the fuel in the pockets may escape, and means for successively filling the ockets of the drum with steam, each whi c it is in communication with the fuel discharge aperture through the valve seat.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a cylindrical drum having a plurality of fuel pockets the mouths of which are through the cylindrical wall of said drum, a seat in which said drum is rotatably mounted and through which is a fuel discharge aperture, means for delivering fuel charges tothe pockets of said drum, means for turning said drum to bring the mouths of the several pockets into provided with ducts leading from said steam chest to the several pockets, a nonrotatable cylindrical steam valve fitted in said steam chest and provided with a discharge port for successively registering with the ports of the steam chest associated with the several pockets, and means for discharging steam into said steam valve.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a cylindrical drum having a pluralit of fuel pockets the mouths of which are tiirough the cylindrical wall of said drum, a seat in which said drum is rotatably mounted and through which is a fuel discharge aperture, means for delivering fuel charges to the pockets of said drum, and means for turning said drum to bring the mouths of the several pockets into communication with said fuel discharge aperture, whereby the fuel in the pockets may escape, a steam chest fixed to the end of said drum which is provided with a hub in which is'a cylindrical chamber, and ports arranged in the same plane at intervals around said steam chest and extending from said chamber to the several pockets of I the drum, a hollow cylindrical valve withseat through which is a fuel dischar in said valve chestchamber, means to pre vent said valve from rotating, and means for discharging steam under pressure into said hollow valve, said valve having a port which extends downward and has its discharge end in such position that it will suecessively register with the ports which go to the several drum pockets and while each drum-pocket is in communication with the full discharge opening through the valve seat.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a fuel chute having near its lower end a semi-cylindrical seat through which is a fuel discharge aperture, a cylindrical drum which is fitted to and is rotatably mounted in said seat, which drum contains a plurality of pockets, the mouths of which are through the cylindrical wall of the drum, a fuel measuring drum which has a plurality of ockets having wide ripheral mouths wliich drum is rotatabl mounted in the chute above the first named drum, means for turning said two'drums, and rakes mounted in the chute between said drums and arranged to deflect the fuel discharged from the upper drum toward that side of the chute in which the lower drum pockets are rising, V

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a fuel chute having near its lower' end a semi-cylindrical ture, a cylindrical drum which is tted to and is rotatably mounted in said seat which drum contains a plurality of pockets, the mouths of which are through the cylindrical wall of the drum, a fuel measuring drum I drum has a p e aperwhich has a plurality of pockets having wide peripheral mouths which drum is rotatably mounted in the chute above the first named drum, means for turning said two drums, I

through which a fuel discharge aperture is formed, a cylindrical drum which is fitted to and rotatably mounted in said seat which drum has a plurality of fuel pockets the mouths of which are through the cylindrical wall thereof, a fuel feeding and measuring drum which has a plurality of radial pockets and is located in the chute above the first mentioned drum and in a position to su port a column of fuel in the chute above it, means for turning said drums which include a ratchet fixed to the first named drum, a concentrically mounted rocking plate carrying a pawl for engagement with said ratchet, a rocker pivotally mounted on the chute and provided with two arms, a link connecting one of said arms with said rocking plate, a link pivotally connected to the other arm of said rocker, a rocking plate mounted coaxially with the feeding and measurin drum and with which the other end of said link pockets are rising. but peris connected, a ratchet fixedto said feeding gagement with said ratchet.

rocking plate for en- 1 In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a fuel chute having near its lower end a semi-cylindrical seat through which a fuel discharge aperture is formed, a cylindrical drum which is fitted to and rotatabl mounted in said seat which lhrality of fuel pockets the mouths of WhlCh are through the cylindrical wall thereof, a fuel feeding and measuring drum which has a plurality of radial pock-' cts and is located in the chute above the first mentioned drum and in a osition to support a column offuel in the c ute above it, means for turning the drum which include a ratchet fixed to the drum, a concentrically mounted rockin plate carrying a pawl for engagement with said ratchet, a

said rocker, a rocking plate which is mounta link connecting ed coaxially with the feeding and measuring a it, means drum and with which the other end of the last mentioned link is connected, a ratchet fixed to said feeding and measuring drum, and a pawl carried by the last mentioned rocking plate for engagement with said ratchet, the last mentioned link being made of two parts capable of sliding one upon the other, a spring plunger having a V-shaped end mounted on one of said link parts, and

the other of said link parts having a V-' ing drum which has a plurality of radial pockets and islocated in the chute above the first mentioned drum and in a position to support a column of fuel inthe chute above for turning the drum which include a ratchet fixed to the drum, a concentrio-ally mounted rocking plate carrying a pawl for engagement with said ratchet, a rocker pivotally mounted on the chute and provided with two arms, a link connecting one of said arms with said rocking plate, a link pivotally connected to the other arm of said rocker, a rocking late which is mounted coaxially with the eeding and measuring drum and with which the other end of the last mentioned link is connected, a ratchet fixed to said feeding and measuring drum, and a pawl carried by the last mentioned rocking; plate for engagement with said ratchetgthe last mentioned link being made of two parts capable of sliding one upon the other, a spring plunger having a V-shaped end mounted on one of said link parts, and the other of said link parts havin a V- shaped notch for engagement by sai plunger, and a spring, latch to hold said plunger out of action.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, tlfe combination of a fuel chute having near its lower end a semi-cylindrical seat through which 'a fuel discharge aperture is formed, a cylindrical drum which is fitted to and rotatably mounted in said seat which drum has a plurality of fuel pockets the mouths of which are through the cylindrical wall thereof, a fuel feeding and measuring drum which has a plurality of radial pockets and is located in the chute above I: e first mentioned drum and in a position to supvdrum and with .last mentioned link port a column of fuel in the chute above it, means for turning the drum which include a ratchet fixed to the drum, a concentrically mounted rocking plate carrying a pawl for engagement with said ratchet, a rocker pivotally mounted on the chute and provided with two arms, a link connecting one of said arms with said rocking plate, a link ivotally connected to the other arm 0 said rocker, a rocking plate which is mounted coaxially with the feeding and measuring which the other end of'the is connected, a ratchet fixed to said feeding and measuring drum, and a pawl carried by the last mentioned rocking plate for engagement with said ratchet, a block sliding on one rocker toward and away from its axis and to which said link is pivoted, and means for moving said block to and holding it in any position desired upon said arm.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a fuel chute having near its lower end a semi-cylindrical seat through which a fuel discharge aperture is formed, a cylindrical drum which is fitted to and rotatably mounted in said seat which drum has a plurality of fuel pockets the mouths of wh ch are through the cylindrical wall thereof, a fuel feeding and measuring drum which has a plurality of radial pockets and is located in the chute above the first mentioned drum and in a position to support a column of fuel in the chute above 1t, means for turning the drum which include aratchet fixed to the drum, a concentrically mounted rockin plate carrying a pawl for engagement wit said ratchet, a rocker pivotally mounted on the chute and provided with two arms, a link connecting one of said arms with said rocking-plate, a link pivot-- ally connected to the o r arm of said rocker, a rocking plate which is mounted coaxially with the feeding and measuring drum and with which the other end of the last mentioned link is connected, a ratchet fixed to said feeding and measuring drum, and a pawl carried by the last mentioned rocking late for engagement with said ratchet, a ell cranklever pivoted concentrically with said rocker, a link connecting one arm of lever with the link which is pivoted to said block, a latch carried by the other arm of said lever, and a segment rack for said latch to engage with.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto affix our signatures.

JOHN F. ROGERS, JAY S. McCLIMON, ROBT.- WETHERILL, JR.

arm of said 7 said 

